Kombucha: Health Benefits, History, and Uses

Kombucha is a fermented tea that is brewed using a live kombucha colony of bacteria and yeast. Kombucha is purported to deliver a variety of health benefits and can be purchased at many health food stores.

Detoxifies

• Kombucha has been used for centuries as a detoxifier. The Qin Dynasty in ancient China believed that kombucha balanced the stomach and the spleen and aided in digestion.

Boosts Immune System

• Because kombucha is reported to boost the immune system and delay the aging process, it has become popular with people suffering from diseases such as cancer and AIDS.

Provides Energy

• Kombucha is a caffeine-free drink that can help increase energy and fight fatigue. It is also helpful in combating insomnia.

Combats Yeast Infections

• The butyric acid and gluconic acid produced during kombucha's fermentation process are useful in treating common yeast infections such as candida or thrush.

Contributes to Healthy Hair

• Drinking kombucha tea and applying kombucha to the scalp have been reported to restore hair color and promote hair growth.